RIDING CROP

Putting the pedal to the metal with customized bikes by Urban Outfitters.

Before fast fashion chains morphed our carbon footprints into craters, Urban Outfitters was our sole provider of all things on-trend and within budget. If there's one thing we continue to commend them for, it's understanding the customer: when we pined for Steven Alan and Geren Ford but couldn't exactly foot the bill, Urban Outfitters showered us with diffusion lines Lark & Wolff and Hawks. But when we locked our rickety used bike outside our house and lost the key, we gave up and went back to walking, nay, moping around, mourning and praying for the key's reappearance.

We didn't expect Urban Outfitters to have an answer this time, but we were wrong. With their new online Bike Shop, they've gone above and beyond the call of Outfitting duty and given us the tools to build our dream bike. In what is probably their most technical undertaking yet, the site allows you to customize nearly every aspect: frame size, saddle, grips, chains, rims and tires. Really, just talking about bike parts is already making us feel like a cool mechanic (we said grips.)

Currently the wait time is only a week, which means the bike you dream up can be realized pronto. At $399, it may seem a little steep, but if you ask us, being able to spot your beloved bike on a crowded rack is worth an investment. Just don't lose your key.
--EMMY BLOTNICK

Order your bike at Urban Outfitters.
We also like Paul Frank's kooky bikes...
And an art exhibit inspired by cyclists!



This story was published on July 7, 2009.